THE BROTHERS' VACATIONS. 29 



fine evening they fancied they saw flashes of lightning in 

 that direction close to the horizon, and that they heard 

 thunder, and observing carefully they found that the sounds 

 followed the flashes at the same intervals of time. On 

 reporting this to Dalton he told them that the greatest 

 distance he had ever heard sounds was some artillery at 

 Liverpool which he heard near Bury ; and subsequently he 

 informed them that he had ascertained that at the time 

 they named a great thunderstorm had been encountered at 

 sea, 40 miles south of Holyhead. 



In September, 1835, the brothers were in the Lake 

 District for a few days, and commenced a tour, ascending 

 Helvellyn and Skiddaw. 18th November, they observe — 

 " A most splendid aurora — a strong wind — heavy clouds — - 

 no moon — yet we could read ordinary print. At 8 o'clock 

 p.m., for about a minute there were perpendicular beams 

 between the clouds, with primitive colours ; at 9 o'clock, the 

 scene was grand ; beams constantly flashing a little S.E. 

 from every quarter of the heavens, and shortly after, there 

 was a bright arc from magnetic east to magnetic west." 



On 1 8th March, 1836, the brothers were at Todmorden — 

 Joule under treatment for the spine by the brothers Taylor ; 

 nevertheless they daily ascended the highest hills in the 

 neighbourhood though they were covered with snow. On 

 15th May, they observe and record an account of the 

 eclipse of the sun. 



In 1838, the diary contains the following entries: — 

 " April 12th. — We called on Dr. Dalton, who seemed very 

 pleased to see us." "April 16th. — A snow storm, James 

 and I did not ride our ponies to-day." " May 8th — nth. — 

 With James at Dr. Taylor's, Todmorden." "June 8th. — 

 James and I rowed to Lowood Inn (Windermere) and back 



